The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-30

wisdom? Look at our streets, our sewers,
our debt, our financial condition, our rapid
growth, in short, our prosperity us mani
tested on all sides, and we've is there u
man who will say this government has
not been wisely administered? No
doubt mistakes have been made, as there
always will be- but the fact remains that
we have the best form ofmunicipal govern
ment known TO any people, and that, so far.
We have been fortunate in tho selection Of
men 10 administer IL who have justified
the hopes and expectations Of his people.
II is safe TO say there Is but one danger
that can confront the people OF Memphis
under their present form of government,
and that is q failure on their part TO select
good and true men to administer H. No
government, however wise in its constitu-
ton or guarded in its limitations, can sur
vive in the hands OF its enemies or in the
hands OF dishonest OF incapable men. We
are here TO nominate one candidate for
fire and police commissioner, two for the
board of public works and two for the
board of school commissioners. In per-
forming this public service we are acting
in the interest OF no clique or party, or
man OF set Of men, but in the interest Of
the entire people OF this city. In making
your selections you will look for men who
are honest and capable. Then you will
inquire whether the proposed candidate
is swaycd by any private interest
which may influence his official
conduct. And, lastly, YOU will be careful
10 select men who are known by their an
tccedcnts and professions 10 be the stead
fast friends Of the Taxing District govern
'nFnt. Its blessings arc such that You can
| find no man who aspircs 10 municipal
Office who will dare 10 say he is opposed TO
II. But you know, and know, il now has
and always has had enemies TO contend
with. We want no man in a municipal
office whose face is turned in the direction
OF the rotten ward yyslem which culmi-
mated la the woes aud disasters OF 1873.
| We want no man 20 participate in the adj
ministation OF the Taxing District who
carries dagger under his cloak ready TO
stab IL when opportunity offers. II un.
derstand the temper Of u great majority of
this people they are determined 20 intrust
| its administration TO no man who is not its
true, tried and trusted friend. Let us
| then proceed TO the business before US
with an eye single to the public good lay
| ing aside every other consideration except
the welfare Of Memphis. The meeting will
come 20 ORDER"
Mr. W. ]. Crawford moved that Mr.. r.
| G. Graves be made secretary OF the meet
ing, and Mr.. J. VI. Trczcvant moved that
members OF the press be added rs assist
ants. Both motions prevailed. Mr..
Graves was called upon for speech, but
modcstly declined.
GIN. L. \. wRiCuT's SPEECH.
Gen. Luke 4. Wright then arose and
spoke rs follows
"Mr Chairman and Gcntlemen-Some
days ago meeting was held at the court
house oi the city which put forth The
names OF certain gentlemen 10 fill the va
rious positions that were TO be made va
cant Cries Of Take the platforms; &c
ON the platform, Gen. Wright. mo,
can be heard where am--that were TO be
filed ON the 5tli OF January next. The
personnel OF that meeting and the ticket
which they put forth alike excited
the astonishmcnt and the profound dis
trust 81 the conservative people OF the city
Of Memphis of all classes. Applause.
However worthy they may be as citizen,
and individuals, IL was felt that their pre-
sentaiion was challenge TO the people o
the city Of Memphis who believe in the
u contest ns 10 whether the Taxing Dis
trict should be preserved in It's intcgrit,
and liz purity. Applause. immediately
calls were circulated calling upon mum
Der Of gentlemen tO ill-tO allow theil
names 10 bo used ~ candidates for ihes,
various civic positions. That call va,
largely signed by citizens Of all rationale
ties, oi all Vocatiuns, oi al classes. Alot
] 1 ala naI A..
those petitions Ii WAS the answer Of IN,
misses .of tho people Of the cityof Mem
phis Ia the challenge thus boldly thrown
down. Those gentlemen have not yet sig
nificd their acceptance, but the fact thai
~ large q number Of representative mcr
called upon them 20 permit the ~,
II their names in this omergcnc,
was aud Is q guarantee that they
arc representative men; that behind then
stand alone the friends Of good order ant
good government lapplauscE that they rep
resent 40 clique, no ring, no graspng mo
nopOly. nv private interest. Great ap
plauSc. Therefore, Mr.. Chairman AN,
gentlemen, In order 10 bring before thii
meeting, and for no other purpose, IN,
names 81 those gentlemen and IN orlcl
that their merits may be- discussed and the
will oi tlis meeting arrived at, ppp0si
the names Of Mr. James T. Petit lpro
longcd applauscl ~ the choice OF thi'
meeting Tor the position Of police and fir
commissioner lgrcat applauscl; the namc'
Of 7. j. Graham aud samuel llirsch iOi
The board Of public works lgrcat applause
the names OF :. n Camp aud r. u. Jor
dan iapplauscl for school commissioners
Permit me In conclusion. Mr.. Chair
man and gentlemen, 10 state that In max
ing this motion IL II not done for the pur
pose II cutting OF amy gentleman who ha,
another name o. other names 10 suggest
This is, IN fact, wha, Il purports 10 be- Ia
name, a mass-mccting. II Is fairly repre-
sentative OF all Glasses aud all conditions
aud nll the interests, mechanical business
and professional, OF the city % Memphis
are here, fairly aud fully represented
tGrcat applause They have right, ant
Il Is their duty, 10 pnss upon the merits o.
these gentlemen, and " there are olhcl
names which TO any single gentleman IL
this house seem preferable 10 those sug
gcsied, let them now speak out or iorcvcl
hold their peace. prolonged applause
Second the motion. take II for granite,
that each Of M has an individual prefer
cncc o. 10 q candidate for these offices. W,
must, however, 10 some extent subordi
nate our personal wishes 10 the genera
/. good. Therefore, let every gentleman VIII,
has any other preference name his man
and let M have fair aud full expression
Of opinion as 10 their respective merits.
Prolonged applause.
Mr.. Dennis Smith seconded the nomina
tons. urging the gentlemen In attendance
20 put forward candidates honest, capable
and with no axes 10 grind. lie gave
comparative statement OF the old and new
city government, drawing a striking pict
urc Of ihe beauties q the latter; One re